Portsmouth And Southampton Share Derby Day Honors In Dramatic Draw

It was a derby day on England’s south coast that lived up to its billing—rain-soaked, fiercely contested, and packed with drama both on and off the pitch. On January 25, 2026, Portsmouth and Southampton renewed their storied rivalry at Fratton Park in a Championship clash that ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving both sets of supporters with plenty to chew over as the dust settled on another chapter of this historic feud.

Anticipation had been building for weeks. The last time these two teams met at Fratton Park in league action was way back in December 2011, a match that also ended 1-1. Since then, the rivalry has only intensified, with Portsmouth unbeaten in their last four home games against the Saints. The sense of occasion was palpable as fans streamed into the ground—Pompey faithful in full voice, Saints supporters arriving under strict ‘bubble’ travel arrangements, escorted by 44 coaches and a heavy police presence that included officers from Kent, Thames Valley, and Hampshire, as well as a police helicopter overhead.

“Anything can happen in a derby,” Portsmouth fan and local reporter Jake Smith declared before kick-off. “Having that home advantage today is really going to benefit.” Southampton fans, meanwhile, braved an early start and lengthy security checks, with one supporter, Ellis Archer, admitting, “I had to wake up earlier than I do for work. It’s a little bit of a pain [but] makes complete sense.”

The pre-match atmosphere was electric. Just 25 minutes before the whistle, a downpour drenched the crowd, but spirits remained undampened. Police lined the routes and bridges from Southampton to Portsmouth, ensuring safe passage for the 2,700 Saints fans packed into the Milton End. Local business owners, like Paul Taylor of The Rose in June pub, noted the impact of the rivalry: “Unfortunately, because of the rivalry on a local derby, that trade is taken away. 99% of the time, the fans are well-behaved and there are no problems anymore. The trouble days are nearly gone. It’s a lot more fun now on match days.”

On the field, both managers—John Mousinho for Portsmouth and Tonda Eckert for Southampton—opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, reflecting the tactical caution that’s defined recent meetings. The last encounter in September 2025 ended in a cagey 0-0 draw at St Mary’s, with neither side willing to risk too much for fear of conceding. This time, though, there was a bit more bite from the outset.

Portsmouth, fighting to escape the relegation zone, had won two of their last four games coming into the derby and were desperate for points. Southampton, sitting mid-table after a stuttering season but buoyed by a recent win over Sheffield United, were looking to reignite their campaign and end a five-match winless run away from home. The Saints had also failed to keep a clean sheet in 24 straight away league matches—a run stretching back to March 1962.

After a tense, back-and-forth first half, the breakthrough finally came just before the hour mark. Southampton’s Finn Azaz slipped a clever through ball to Leo Scienza, who coolly slotted past Portsmouth keeper Nicolas Schmid. The away end erupted, and the Saints’ bench spilled onto the pitch in wild celebration. But the jubilation was short-lived—amid the chaos, a Portsmouth supporter managed to get onto the field, making inappropriate gestures towards the visiting fans before being swiftly removed by security. That moment only added to the charged atmosphere.

Portsmouth, stung by the setback, rallied. The home crowd urged their side forward, and with just 13 minutes left on the clock, midfielder Ebou Adams rose highest in the box to head home an equalizer. The roar from the Fratton Park faithful was deafening. “Adams levelled the match with 13 minutes to go, sending the home fans into a frenzy with a header from close range,” reported BBC Sport, capturing the intensity of the moment.

The final minutes saw both teams push for a winner, but neither could find the decisive touch. The draw lifted Portsmouth out of the relegation zone into 21st place, while Southampton remained in 15th. For the hosts, the result was more than just a point—it extended their unbeaten home run against their bitter rivals to five matches (two wins, three draws). For the Saints, frustration lingered; they are now winless in five straight league meetings with Pompey, a new low in their Football League history.

The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports+, with fans able to stream via Sky Go and NOW. Local radio offered coverage for those unable to tune in on TV, but there was no national broadcast. Bookmakers had given Southampton the edge before kick-off, with odds of 23/20 for an away win, compared to 9/4 for Portsmouth and 12/5 for the draw. In the end, the odds-makers were right to expect a tight contest.

Off the pitch, the day was largely peaceful, a testament to the efforts of police and club officials. “The game at Southampton passed off very peacefully and hopefully the game this Sunday will pass off peacefully as well,” said pub landlord Paul Taylor before the match. By all accounts, aside from the isolated pitch invasion, fans from both sides contributed to a vibrant, respectful derby atmosphere—a far cry from the more troubled encounters of years past.

Looking back at the history, this was the 73rd first-class meeting between the sides across the Southern League, Football League, Premier League, and cup competitions. The last derby at Fratton Park had been a 4-0 rout for Southampton in 2019, but Pompey’s resilience in recent years has turned the tide on home soil. The Saints’ inability to keep a clean sheet away from home continues to haunt them, with their current run now at a staggering 25 games.

Portsmouth’s manager John Mousinho will take heart from his team’s fighting spirit, especially given their precarious league position. Southampton’s Tonda Eckert, meanwhile, is left to ponder another missed opportunity to break their Fratton Park hoodoo and steady the ship on the road. Both managers stuck with their preferred 4-2-3-1 setups, but it was the substitutions—often a point of contention among Pompey fans—that nearly tipped the balance late on. “Every match after a lot of subs come on, usually in same part of the field, we concede goals, as the team becomes off balance. When will the manager learn?” wondered Pete, a Southampton supporter, echoing the nerves that come with derby day decisions.

As the coaches departed and the crowds filtered away into the rainy Portsmouth afternoon, one thing was clear: the South Coast Derby remains one of English football’s most compelling rivalries. With both teams still searching for momentum in the Championship, the next meeting—whenever it comes—will be circled in red on calendars from Fratton to St Mary’s. Until then, the bragging rights stay tantalizingly up for grabs.